Oh what a pun, for so early on a Saturday! The "examined" that Chocy explained is not the same as the marginal notation. Yes, wives were examined to release their dower interest in any property held by their husbands. Her examination agreement/acknowledgment, was recorded in its own paragraph. The release "usually" followed the deed immediately, but could be recorded several pages later, maybe even in a different book. The marginal note did not refer to the release of dower. Deeds could be examined and delivered without the dower release (if a man was so casual or confident to purchase without that release). I have seen one instance where the wife would not release her dower. She moved to Ohio, and still maintained a life estate in the property of her deceased husband! Maiden names are another problem. If you see one, it probably indicates that the property being sold was the wife's property, inherited from her father or previous husband, now controlled by her current husband. Ms. Marty Hiatt, CGRS "Document what you find, listen to what you are told, and especially, love and respect your work." John Morris CGRS is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license after periodic evaluations by the Board. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 6:56 AM Subject: Re: [VALOUDOU-L] Old Deed Records: What does "examined" mean? > Examined as found in Frederick County, Virginia acknowledged that the wife > had been examined alone and apart from her husband concerning the Indenture > (Deed, etc.) and that she was in agreement with the transaction of her own free > will and that she had not been pressured into signing the document. Once the > examination was done (sworn to by the examiners, signed, and sealed) the > document was sent/taken to be recorded. In Frederick County there is usually a > paragraph or two recorded with the document showing in legal terms the way in > which they were examined with all the signatures of those present for the > examination. Sometimes the person could not travel to the courthouse, so the > examining persons would travel to the person for the interview. Then the > documents were recorded. > Wives had dowry rights and this helped to protect them (supposedly). > Chocy > > ______________________________